Control device for doors or panels, notably for closing open spaces and the like



June 22, 1965 H. KUMMERMAN 3,190,637

CONTROL DEVICE FOR DOQRS 0R PANELS, NOTABLY FOR CLOSING OPEN SPACES ANDTHE LIKE Original Filed Jan. 14, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 H. KUMMERMANJune 22, 1965 CONTROL DEVICE FOR DOORS OR PANELS, NOTABLY FOR CLOSINGOPEN SPACES AND THE LIKE Original Filed Jan. 14. 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet '2Nov mo United States Patent 3,190,637 CONTROL DEVECE FQR DOGRS 0RPANELS, NGTAELY FQR CLGSENG OPEN SPACES AND THE LIKE Henri Kunimerman,Paris, France, assignor to International MacGi-"egor Qrganization (LRLE9.) Saint (Jharles, Monte Carlo, Monaco, a body corporate of MonacoOriginal application Jan. 14, 1958, Ser. No. 7 08,834.

gitiilld and this application May 23, 1960, Ser. No.

Claims priority, application France, Jan. 24, 1957, 730,260, Patent1,165,282; July 8, 1957, 742,736, Patent 1,178,231

2 Claims. ((Zl. 268-75) This invention is a division of my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 708,834 and now abandoned.

This invention relates to a device for controlling the opening andclosing movements of hingedly-mounted doors or panels adapted to befolded in a vertical or horizontal position and designed notably forclosing open spaces such as shiphold hatchways, railway cars and thelike, of the type comprising control members either incorporated in saidpanels or pivotally mounted about fixed axes for opening and closingsaid space.

This device is remarkable notably in that it comprises a control member,for example of the hydraulic or fluidactuated jack type, which ispivotally mounted on a fixed pivot pin independent of the panel to beoperated and an assembly consisting of at least two links, one of theselinks being pivoted on the one hand on the jack rod or the like and onthe other hand on the panel to be operated, whereas the other linkacting as a crank rod is pivoted on the one hand on the first link andon the other hand about a fixed fulcrum also independent of the panel tobe operated and spaced a fixed distance apart from the aforesaid jackfulcrum, this link assembly being located in the vicinity of the hingeaxis of the panel to be operated.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that by using a single jackor motor per pair of hinged panels, in combination with very simplelinkage means, a usually very delicate control movement, especially inthe case of heavy and cumbersome panels as in the case of shipholdpanels or hatchway covers, can be effected in a reliable manner.

Of course, the link arrangement is designed to provide the requisitefolding and spreading effort.

Thus, in the spread or closed position, the first link of the aforesaidarrangement and the traction and/ or thrust element are substantiallyaligned along an axis passing above the hinge axis interconnecting thepanels.

In this closed position, the other link lies above the aforesaid axis ofalignment and is preferably slightly inclined relative thereto.

The jack being fulcrumed at a point belonging to a stationary membersuch as a hatch-coaming, frame, deck or the like, the panel can berotated through an angle of 180 and laid flat.

Preferably, care will also be taken that in both open and closedpositions of the panel the initial direction of the thrust or tractionexerted by the jack or jacks or the like forms with the axis passingthrough the pivot point of the hinged mounting of the panel on the edgeof the space to be closed and the pivot point on the connecting-rod onthe aforesaid lug an angle of about 90 so as to take advantage at thebeginning of the opening and closing movements of a maximum liftingtorque.

It has already been proposed for operations of this gen Zi,l%,637

"ice

eral character to use pivotally-mounted jacks acting on the panels inthe vicinity of their hinged points. However, hitherto known devices ofthis character are unpractical in that they are too cumbersome and/ orrequire too complicated mechanisms and involve an exceedingly high powerconsumption so that they do not constitute economical solutions. Now,the device forming the subject matter of this invention has none ofthese inconveniences, as both its construction and operation are verysimple.

Other features and characteristic advantages of this invention willappear as the following description proceeds with reference to theattached drawings forming part of this specification and illustratingdiagrammatically by way of example a few typical embodiments of theinvention. In the drawings:

FEGURE l is a diagrammatic elevational view illustrating the applicationof the device of this invention to the specific case of a jack fulcrumedon the deck of a ship to actuate an assembly of two hingedly inter-cornnected panels shown in their space-closing position;

FIGURE 2 is a similar view showing the panels during their foldingmovement; and

FIGURE 3 is a similar view showing the two panels fully folded.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES l to 3 of the drawings, a pairof panels ltil, ltlZ are hingedly interconnected at 163. The panel 1&2is also pivoted at 104 on the edge of the hatchway 1%. This pivot point104 is disposed for example in a box-sectioned structure 186 fixedlymounted on the deck 167 of the ship, behind the hatch-coarning 1%. Ofcourse, any other adequate mounting may be resorted to without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

At its front portion the panel 1tl1 carries a pair of rollers 199adapted to roll along the lateral edges of the hatchway. Of course, thepanels may be of any other suitable type, provided they can be folded tooccupy a horizontal stowing position as shown in FIGURE 3.

The device according to this invention comprises a jack 116 pivoted at111 on the deck 197 of the ship or for example in the box-sectionedstructure 156. This jack may be, for example, of the hydraulicpiston-cylinder type and comprise a piston rod 112 (see FIGURES 2 and 3)slidably located in the cylinder. This rod 112 is pivotally connected toa link or control rod 113 at 114.

This link 112 is in turn pivotally connected with panel 1162 and with afurther link 118. The pivotal connection with the panel 102 is achievedby a pivot pin 115 situated on'a lug 116 projecting from the panel 102beyond pivot 104, The connection with link 118 is achieved by a pivot117. The other end of link 118 is pivoted to a pivot 119 fixedly locatedin the structure 196.

In the stowing position, the two folded panels as shown in FIGURE 3rest, for example, on a support shown at 129.

It is also evident that a special space shown at 121 may be provided toconstitute the stowing place. Similarly, it will be readily understoodthat similar devices may be disposed on either sides of the longitudinalaxis XX of the ship.

In the example illustrated, it is assumed that the panel moves laterallyrelative to the ship axis X-X; therefore, the hand rail is shown at 122.Of course, the same device may also be used in case the panels arestowed or moved in a direction parallel to the ship axis X-X.

The device described hereabovc operates as follows:

Assuming that the panels are in their closed position as shown in FIGURE1, the jack 110 is firstly actuated by introducing fluid under pressuretherein. The dashed lines 116' of FIGURE 1 designate the position of thelug 116 when the panels are folded.

When the pressure fiuid is admitted into cylinder 110, a thrust in thedirection of arrow F is exerted on link 113. This thrust is transmittedto lug 116 and re: sults in a torque about pivot 104 in the direction ofarrow F At the same time, link 113 is rotated in the same direction andis guided by link 118 which also rotates in the direction of arrow F Asshown in the drawings, the dimensions and arrangement of the variousmembers are such that the thrust exerted by the jack is initiallydirected nearly at right angles to the axis passing through the pivotaxes 115 and 104 (the direction F being perpendicular to the link 104115 so that the lifting moment of the panels may attain a maximum value.

The link 118 acts as a guide and as a counter-arm to the control rod113.

The pivot 117 which is common to the links 113 and 118 describes acircular are as shown in dotted lines, and the point 115 describesanother circular are about the fixed point 104. The link 113 rotatesabout its pivot point 114 and occupies the successive positions shown inFIGURES 2 and 3. It is apparent that, if the dimensions of the rod 112are appropriate, the panels 101 and 102 can be folded and turned aboutan angle of 180 with respect to their initial horizontal closingpositions.

The closing movement of the panels, i.e., their unfolding, takes placeby virtue of a reverse cycle of operation of the jack. To facilitatethis movement, ramps or cam faces may be provided for the rollers 109 toease the lifting and the initial portion of the closing movement of thepanels.

It is clear that for example in the case of a hatchway having a lengthof 110 meters (about 120 yards) and a width of 14.4 meters (15.75 yards)either four panels or two pairs of panels as shown at 101, 102 of atotal weight of about 24 tons may be used. The lifting moment must be 24tons/meters per pair in both opening and closing operations and underthese conditions it is sufficient to use two 75 ton jacks per pair. Ofcourse, jacks of the type shown diagrammatically at 110 may be disposedon either side of the hatchway, so as to exert a torque simultaneouslyon both lateral sides of each panel.

It is also evident that the angle formed by the lug 116 with the planeof the relevant panel, as well as the initial inclination of the jackwill be determined in each specific case and depend essentially on thestructure of the panels, their weight and arrangement over the hatchway.

Any other suitable and equivalent member may be substituted for the link118, provided that it performs the guiding function set forthhereinabove; thus, a ramp or cam face co-acting with a pin or rollercarried by the control rod 113 may be provided.

Of course, the embodiments shown and described herein should not beconstrued as limiting the purpose of the present invention as manymodifications and alterations may be brought thereto without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

What I claim is:

1. A device for controlling pivotally mounted panels intended to openand close an aperture in a horizontal deck of a ship comprising at leastone panel, a lug member projecting laterally from said panel, a rigidstructure fixed to the ships deck adjacent the aperture, shaft meanspivotally engaging said lug member and said rigid structure so that saidpanel may be swung thereon 180 between an aperture closing position andan aperture opening position, at least one jack means for actuating saidpanel to so swing it about said shaft means, said jack means beinglocated adjacent to said shaft means and outside of said aperture andincluding a cylinder and hydraulically actuated pushing and retractablerod slidably movable in the cylinder, a first pivot pin located at afixed position outside of said aperture for pivotally mounting saidcylinder outside said aperture, first link means pivotally secured atone of its ends to the said pushing and retractable rod and at its otherend pivotally secured to said lug member at a point spaced from saidshaft means, a second link means acting as a crank arm and having one ofits ends pivotally secured to said first link means intermediate theends thereof, and a pivot pin mounted at a fixed location on said rigidstructure to pivotally secure the other end of said second link meansthereto, said shaft means, said last-named pivot pin and said secondlink means all being located above said pushing and retractable rod andsaid first-named link means when the panel is in the aperture closingposition, and said pushing and retractable rod and said first-named linkmeans are then aligned, and wherein in the aperture-closing position ofsaid panel the pushing and retractable rod is fully retracted withinsaid cylinder and the first-named link means then forms an angle ofsubstantially with an axis passing through said shaft means and thepivotal securing point of said first-named link means and said lugmember, and wherein in the aperture-opening position of said panel saidfirst-named link means is at an angle of substantially 90 with the axisof said pushing and retractable rod which latter then extends fullyoutwardly of said cylinder, whereby said panel may be rotatedsubstantially about said shaft means in a change from aperture-closingto aperture-opening positions.

2. A device for controlling pivotally mounted panels intended to openand close an aperture in a horizontal deck of a ship comprising a panel,a projecting member extending from said panel laterally from one side ofsaid panel, a rigid structure fixed to the ship adjacent said side ofsaid aperture, a pivot shaft pivotally engaging said member and saidrigid structure so that said panel may be swung thereon 180 between ahorizontal aperture closing position and an aperture opening position,at least one jack means for so actuating said panel about said pivotshaft, said jack means being located adjacent to said shaft means andoutside of said aperture and including an hydraulic cylinder and apushing and retractable rod slidable longitudinally in said cylinderwith one end protruding therefrom, a first pivot pin located at a fixedpoint outside of said aperture and laterally of said pivot shaft forpivotally mounting said cylinder outside of said aperture, first linkmeans pivotally secured adjacent one of its ends to said protruding endof said pushing and retractable rod and pivotally secured adjacent itsother end to said projecting member at a point spaced from said pivotshaft, a second link means acting as a crank arm, pivot means securingone of the ends of said second link means to said first link means at apoint intermediate the ends of the latter, and a pivot pin mounted at astationary point of said rigid structure to pivotally secure the otherend of said second link means thereto, said last-named pivot pin andsaid second-named link means being located above said pushing andretractable rod and said firstnamed link means and outside of saidaperture when the panel is in horizontal aperture closing position, saidpushing and retractable rod and said first-named link means then beingaxially aligned and wherein the aperture-closing position of said panel,the pushing and retractable rod is fully retracted within said cylinderand the firstnamed link means defines an angle of substantially 90 withan axis passing through said pivot shaft and the point of pivotalsecural of said first-named link means and said projecting member, andwherein in the aperture-opening position of said panel said first-namedlink means is at an angle of substantially 90 with the axis of saidpushing and retractable rod which latter then is fully extendedoutwardly of said cylinder, whereby said panel may be swung 5 6substantially through 180 about said pivot shaft in 2,778,632 1/57Mei'cier 268-66 changes from horizontal aperture-closing to aperture-2,820,515 1/58 Aarvold 160-188 opening positions. 2,906,324 9/59Hannigan 160188 References Cited y the Examiner 5 HARRISON R. MOSELEY,Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENTS JEROME SCHNALL, NORTON ANSHER, GEORGE 2,686,0788/54 Hale et al. A. NINAS, 111., Examiners,

2,697,998 12/54 Jernstrom 114--202 UNITED STATES PATENT OFEICECERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,190,637 June 22, 1965 HenriKummerman It is hereby certified that error appears in the abovenumbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patentshould read as corrected below Column 1, line 63, for "on", firstoccurrence, read of column 4, line 65, before "the" insert in Signed andsealed this 21st day of December 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W. SWIDER AttestingOfficer

1. A DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED PANELS INTENDED TO OPENAND CLOSE AN APERTURE IN A HORIZONTAL DECK OF THE SHIP COMPRISING ATLEAST ONE PANEL, A LUG MEMBER PROJECTING LATERALLY FROM SAID PANEL, ARIGID STRUCTURE FIXED TO THE SHIP''S DECK ADJACENT THE APERTURE, SHAFTMEANS PIVOTALLY ENGAGING SAID LUG MEMBER AND SAID RIGID STRUCTURE SOTHAT SAID PANEL MAY BE SWUNG THEREON 180* BETWEEN AN APERTURE CLOSINGPOSITION AND AN APERTURE OPENING POSITION, AT LEAST ONE JACK MEANS FORACTUATING SAID PANEL TO SO SWING IT ABOUT SAID SHAFT MEANS, SAID JACKMEANS BEING LOCATED ADJACENT TO SAID SHAFT MEANS AND OUTSIDE OF SAIDAPERTURE AND INCLUDING A CYLINDER AND HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED PUSHING ANDRETRACTABLE ROD SLIDABLY MOVABLE IN THE CYLINDER, A FIRST PIVOT PINLOCATED AT A FIX POSITION OUTSIDE O SAID APERTURE FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTINGSAID CYLINDER OUTSIDE SAID APERTURE FIRST LINK MEANS PIVOTALLY SECUREDAT ONE OF ITS ENDS TO THE SAID PUSHING AND RETRACTABLE ROD AND AT ITSOTHER END PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID LUG MEMBER AT A POINT SPACED FROMSAID SHAFT MEANS, A SECOND LINK MEANS ACTING AS A CRANK ARM AND HAVINGONE OF ITS ENDS PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID FIRST LINK MEANS INTERMEDIATETHE ENDS THEREOF, AND A PIVOT PIN MOUNTED AT A FIXED LOCATION ON SAIDRIGID STRUCTURE TO PIVOTALLY SECURE THE OTHER END OF SAID SECOND LINKMEANS THERETO, SAID SHAFT MEANS, SAID LAST-NAMED PIVOT PIN AND SAIDSECOND LINK MEANS ALL BEING LOCATED ABOVE SAID PUSHING AND RETRACTABLEROD AND SAID FIRST-NAMED LINK MEANS WHEN THE PANEL IS IN THE APERTURECLOSING POSITION, AND SAID PUSHING AND RETRACTABLE ROD AND SAIDFIRST-NAMED LINK MEANS ARE THEN ALIGNED, AND WHEREIN IN THEAPERTURE-CLOSING POSITION OF SAID PANEL THE PUSHING AND RETRACTABLE RODIS FULLY RETRACTED WITHIN SAID CYLINDER AND THE FIRST-NAMED LINK MEANSTHEN FORMS AN ANGLE OF SUBSTANTIALLY 90* WITH AN AXIS PASSING THROUGHSAID SHAFT MEANS AND THE PIVOTAL SECURING POINT OF SAID FIRST-NAMED LINKMEANS AND SAID LUG MEMBER, AND WHEREIN IN THE APERTURE-OPENING POSITIONOF SAID PANEL SAID FIRST-NAMED LINK MEANS IS AT AN ANGLE OF SUBSTANTIAL90* WITH THE AXIS OF SAID PUSHING AND RETRACTABLE ROD WHICH LATTER THENEXTENDS FULLY OUTWARDLY OF SAID CYLINDER, WHEREBY SAID PANEL MAY BEROTATED SUBSTANTIALLY 180* ABOUT SAID SHAFT MEANS IN A CHANGE FROMAPERTURE-CLOSING TO APERTURE-OPENING POSITIONS.